🗞 He's a Rock star

AUSSIE SPORTS
Captain Marnus

🏏 Queensland cricket officials have given star batter Marnus Labuschagne a leg-up in his quest for an Australian leadership role after making him Queensland Bulls captain for the 2024-25 season, replacing Test opener Usman Khawaja. 

🐴 Decorated jockey Brett Prebble has called time on his glittering career after more than 31 years in the saddle.

The 46-year-old, who won the Melbourne Cup in 2012 on Green Moon, announced on Tuesday that he was retiring from the saddle to concentrate on business.

Prebble runs a highly successful racing gear manufacturing business – Persuader International – which began as a sideline to his riding career from his father’s garage in Ballarat in 1995, a career that started as a 14-year-old when apprenticed to Terry O’Sullivan at Stawell.

❌ Conor Clarke, brother of Western Bulldogs player Charlie Clarke, has received a lifetime ban from all AFL games following a pitch invasion during a recent match. The incident, described as senseless, saw Conor Clarke disrupt play, leading to significant backlash and his subsequent ban. T

he AFL has reinforced its zero-tolerance policy towards such behaviour to maintain safety and order during games.

NRL NEWS
PAP’S BACK

🤘🏼 The Maroons fullback Reece Walsh (returning via the concussion protocol) was treated like a rock star by fans in Toowoomba on Tuesday where he trained strongly ahead of next Wednesday’s showdown with NSW at the MCG.

“I know how much it means to the people of Queensland and past players. They need a team that is willing to put their body on the line and do whatever for their state. If I was scared or shy in any way I would pull myself out.”

👨🏻‍⚖️ Parramatta Eels second-rower Kelma Tuilagi has opted not to challenge his grade three dangerous throw charge, instead entering a no-contest plea to the NRL judiciary on Tuesday evening.

Tuilagi received a four-game suspension for his tackle on Sydney Roosters prop Lindsay Collins during Saturday evening’s NRL match at CommBank Stadium. The incident occurred early in the game, with Tuilagi lifting Collins and causing him to land on his neck.

🏉 State of Origin is set to cause havoc across the NRL once again this week with a number of sides scrambling to fill their sides. 

The Sydney Roosters have been hit the hardest with four player unavailable due to Game II, although they will be able to call upon skipper James Tedesco after he was dropped from the New South Wales side. 

Manly have to deal with the loss of their two leaders Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic, while also battling a lengthy injury toll which will have their squad depth tested to the limits. 

• Storm: The magnificent mullet of Melbourne is back - Ryan Papenhuyzen to make his return from a small fracture in his fibula.

• Dolphins: Trai Fuller again steps into Maroons star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow's shoes.

• Titans: David Fifita returns after missing Round 15 with an ankle injury.

• Warriors: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns from a hamstring injury.

AFL NEWS
Brownlow battle back on

Port Adelaide star Zak Butters is set to take the field in Saturday’s pivotal match against Brisbane following a successful appeal overturning his one-match ban for striking at the AFL Tribunal.

Additionally, Butters retains eligibility for the Brownlow Medal after the Tribunal, chaired by Jeff Gleeson, determined that his contact with GWS midfielder Tom Green’s face was minimal.

Port Adelaide's argument drew on a precedent set in the Jesse Hogan case earlier this year, where similar circumstances led to a favorable outcome, with GWS asserting initial contact was to the arm before incidental face contact occurred, arguing the impact was negligible.

🗣️ Collingwood legend Dane Swan captivated the audience during the AFL Hall of Fame night with his candid and humorous acceptance speech. Swan, who was inducted for his illustrious career, entertained attendees with anecdotes and reflections on his time in the league. His speech was a highlight of the evening, showcasing his unique personality and enduring impact on the sport.

After Swan’s speech, co-host Gerard Whateley could only utter “bit of work to be done in editing the replay I’m sure” as the room applauded the Magpies great from the stage.

It all began with Swan detailing his reaction when the AFL came calling about Tuesday’s honour.

“I s**t myself to be honest,” Swan began.

“A number I didn’t know called and I don’t answer numbers I don’t know because they’re usually not good news.” (Fox Sport)

🙌🏼 Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall was also elevated to legend status at the AFL's Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Dunstall became the 32nd Legend in the history of the game.

"I'm pleased to be able to celebrate tonight and recognise the tremendous achievements of the 2024 inductees and further congratulate Jason Dunstall on his elevation to legend status," AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder said.

WORLD NEWS
Celtics Win

🏀 icymi: The Boston Celtics clinched the NBA Championship with a decisive Game 5 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, winning 110-99. Jayson Tatum was instrumental, earning the Finals MVP with 32 points and 10 rebounds. Despite Luka Dončić's efforts for Dallas, including a 40-point game, Boston's team effort and strong defence secured their 18th title.

⚽️ EPL Fixtures: Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur will come up against newly-promoted Leicester City as the Premier League released the fixture list for the 2024/25 season.

PL OPENING DAY (all times AEST)

• Manchester United v Fulham - 5am, August 17

• Ipswich Town v Liverpool - 9:30pm, August 18

• Arsenal v Wolves - 12am, August 18

• Everton v Brighton - 12am, August 18

• Newcastle v Southampton, August 18

• Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth, August 18

• West Ham United v Aston Villa - 2:30am, August 18

• Brentford v Crystal Palace - 11pm, August 18

• Chelsea v Manchester City - 1:30am, August 19

• Leicester City v Tottenham - 5am, August 20

👃🏼 Kylian Mbappe will remain available for France’s remaining Euro 2024 matches after breaking his nose during the favourites’ 1-0 victory over Austria on Monday night. 

The Real Madrid striker has already re-joined the squad having undergone tests in hospital.

⛳️ Rory McIlroy says he will take time away from golf following his dramatic late collapse at the US Open, calling it one of the "toughest" days of his career.

The 35-year-old held a two-shot lead in pursuit of a fifth major title - and a first since 2014 - before dropping shots at three of the last four holes.

🏏 Nicholas Pooran hit a stunning 98 as West Indies prepared for a Super 8s match against England at the T20 World Cup with a 104-run victory over Afghanistan. 

🇯🇲 Jamaica's five-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah will not defend her 200m title at this summer's Games in Paris.

The 31-year-old has opted not to race over the distance at the upcoming Jamaican trials but will still compete in the 100m.

She is the second-fastest woman in history over 100m and became the first woman to win back-to-back Olympic sprint doubles when she retained her 100m and 200m titles at Tokyo 2020.

❤️ New Zealand Super Rugby player Connor Garden-Bachop has died at the age of 25.

Garden-Bachop died in Christchurch "following a medical event" on Monday, New Zealand Rugby said.

The winger's father, Stephen Bachop, played for Samoa and New Zealand and his mother, Sue Garden-Bachop, played for the New Zealand women's team, the Black Ferns.

⚽️ Teenager Arda Guler scored on his European Championship debut as Turkey broke Georgia's hearts with a thrilling 3-1 victory in Dortmund.

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